davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-05-06
Announcements.

Mr. s. Arthur Woodbury. competent piano
tuner viii be in town ready Tor work May lOth To
l'th. Advance orders may he lett at t. L. brig
ham music store Hooker hluck.
Hawley expects to- be able TO offer first Of next
week a big bargain in all wool canvas cloths ut
22ia cents never sold before below 30 cents yard.
Not absolutely sure Of getting them. II they
come they ought to cut up very quick.
WANTED 4 rirl to do general homework in n
small family. 4, A. CHANBERfAGN, No. II West
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-05-06

Rev. c. A. Votey of Fairfax, formerly
OF this place, has accepted call to the
pastorate of the Baptist church in Tiffin, q.
j. II. Plummer has sold a tract of about
three acres of land near Leveritt Kings
place TO Adelbert Warren.
Fred Forbush has bought of Oscar Smith
the old Wilder Harris place in Chesterfield
Tor SllOO, and gone there to live.
Wm. Mather has moved 70 the east vii
lage into one of Crowells houses.
The Vermont Waterman of last week
printed IN full the Fast day sermon which
heV' Lewis Circuit preached TO his Sudbury
congregation. Its theme was "a Great
remedy for Great Evils" Our three great
national evils Mr.. Circuit found TO be litter
acy, lntemperance, and worldliness or
greed of gain. The only final and sufli
clent remedy for these evils he said
must he sought in that grace, wisdom and
power which come through the gospel of
Hod our Saviour Jesus Christ Nothing
less than that fear of God and that love of
tod which the gospel reveals and urges
can ever keep the appetites and ambitions
OF men from evil, or make the golden rule
lhe guide OF life ip world of sin. 1t is
only the gospel that teaches and moves us
To make really the most of this life in ev-
cry true and noble sense-to make indeed,
the most of ourselves, and yet 10 he also
truly mindful of the rights and wants of
Others. For narrow, contracted selfish
ness II gives us God and his grace for sin.
Saviour for transient. earthly riches.
treasures IN heaven, ever-satisfying. never
failing"
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-05-06

solemn declaration Of a farm hand to whom
he coniided his troubles. "Why, Jacob, lac
said. 81 never would let them take you
back in this world. ! would spill my last
drop Of blood for you before they should do
it =
LEARNS To MAKE LEAD PIPE AND PUMPS -
now AND WHY HE CAME TO BRATrLEBoRo.
At II young Estey went to Worcester
aud learned Of Thomas Sutton whit would
now be called the plumbers trade At that
time this consisted Of the making and put
ting in Of lead pipe aud copper pumps. BY
the primitive methods of those days lead
pipe was made 10y pouring the melted lead
into "A mould and then drawing it out to
any desired size over steel rod. Three
years later, on Dec 3lst, 1884, when Jacob
| was 20. his father died aud he came up 10
! linsdale to the funeral. From thence he
came over to Brattlcboro aud naturally
/ sought out Stephen Parker who had lead
( pipe and pump shop here. Parker said he
I was tired Of the business he would sell it
Z for half what 1t was worth, and named
I 5000 ns his price. Young Estey then had
| Just this sum due him at Worcester, and
! taking refusal Of the business for six
; weeks at that price, went back to Worces
| ter 10 consult his employer Mr.. Sutton
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-05-06

BY that time Mr.. Parker had sickened Of
his second trade and wanted To back out of
it 10y paying $50, whereupon Mr.. Stearns
bluntly told him that he would either deed
over the property or pay the full 5000.
The upshot of il all was that the parties
went to Stephen Greenleaf the town clerk,
who lived on what is now the Thurhrr
place beyond West Bruttleboro. and had
the papers made cut, and the money, fur
nished by MIR. Stcarns and Mr. Adams, was
paid down. Mr.. EStey took possession
April LIST, lSjJ, few months before he was
n, and thus became "a resident of Brattle-
boro. The Parker house was IA small cot
tage standing on tbs site of Mr.. Estey's
present residence. Ills shop was in what
was then the old tannery building. known
10 this generation ns the Valley mill build
ing which fell a victim to the flames last
December.
HOW THE ORGAN BUSINESS REGAIN AND
GREW Up.
For the following Is or 20 years Mr. Els
tey did successful business in the lead
pipe and pump trade. His sales extended
over all the region round about, including
New Hampshire Massachusetts, and eastern
New York, His goods were largely made
in the winter and the summers were spent
in laying aqueducts as called for. About
the year 1880 he built the two story shop
shown in the accompanying engraving. 1t
stood 10y the brook just south of the Main
street bridge, ON the site of the building
which was washed away by the December
treshet several years ago. A portion of
this shop was rented TO Burdett a Carpen-
ter, who were engaged in the manufacture
of melodeons in II small way. About this
time the modern methods of making lead
pipe began to come into use in manufactur-
ing centres, and Mr. Estey gradually gave
! up his pipe and pump business Meantime
he had taken AN interest with Burdett q
Carpenter in their nelodeun business. It
was while the California gold fever was at
its height, and his partners became anxious
to get out of the business. Mr. Estev was
no musician but his insight told him that
the musical instinct was Just awakening
in the American people, and that the bust
ness had IN 1t promising possibilities. He
bought the interest of his partners, paving
for the whole business S2100. Soon after
he took in company with him ii. F. Green,
now of Jacksonville, Fla, who had some
knowledge of music. At this time the firm
employed only some six or eight workmen.
and the product of the factory for several
| years was only 80 10 15plain, unpretentious
melodeons year.
With the homo business of manufactur-
] ing satisfactorily established, Mr.. Estey
took on himself the duties of salesman, and
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-05-06

told him the chance was good one and Of
fcred 10 help him with letters Of credit 10
Boston and New York parties. When the
young man got back 10 BrattebDro, how
ever, MIR. Parker backed out Of his trade,
but said he would sell his business If he
could sell his house also. The price ON the
whole he fixed at $i2ij. This looked a
large sum 10 the young plumber but his
Judgment told him there was money in the
trade, and at Parker's suggestion the two
went into Keyes x Bradleys office and had
IA contract for the sale drawn up Both
parties signed it, with the forfeit fixed at
$500. The deed once done, Young Jacobs
soul was filled with deadly fear lest he
had assumed an obligation which he could
never fulfil. and he went to lm>dale u
consult the friend Of his boyhood, the late
John Stearns, who was - years his senior
Uncle John told him that he had probably
got cheated, but if you have not" he
said, "l'll help you out On the following
Monday morning, day in February, 1888.
Mr.. Stcarns aud Oliver Adams came over
with their young friend. to investigate
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-05-06

until their present residence was built in
1854. Their whole welded life. therefore,
has been spent in one spot on Canal street
Two children grew to maturity-Abby, the
wife Of Lieutenant Governor Fuller, vice
president Of the Estey organ company, and
Julius j., its treasurer, and the colonel
commanding the First Regiment Vermont
National Guard.
Dea. Estey has been "A staunch supporter
Of the Brattleboro Baptist church which
came into existence about 1870 and il is
largely through his active influence that
the church has grown to bee the largest Of
its denomination IN the state. His help in
building up churches Of this faith elsewhere,
aud ms benctactlons to weak and struggling
churches, have been constant and generous.
lie was member Of the Vermont House
| of Representatives in 1869 aud 1870, and
was "a member of the Senate for the first
biennial term, 1872 g. In 1876 he was one
Of the presidential electors which cast the
vote of Vermont for Rutherford B. Hayes
| Mr.. Esteys tastes are severely plain and
| homoly. He was born with hatred OF
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-05-06

Vermont snow banks have fingered long
this year, but as always happens in such a
season, it is a surprise TO see how quickly
everything in nature responds to the com
ing of warmer airs. On May white
patches were visible here and there ON the
hills, but on the meadow bottoms and I'M the
soft, wet places in the fields and pastures
the young grass was thick and green, arbu-
tus, hepatica, bloodroot and yellow violets
were in blossom, the tops of the soft maple
were thick with the red blooms, the elm
buds were visibly swelling, and the wild
raspberry and elder leaves were almost
half way out. Every day since the glad
awakening has gone steadily ON, and now
it seems impossible that two weeks ago
there was plenty of snow about Brattlebort
streets and door yards. With it all is the
consolation that visitors from New York
and Philadelphia, who came ON at the open
ing Of the week, reported the difference in
the advance of the season there and her,
as hardly perceptible. We feel a real com
miseration for those northwestern towns
like Minneapolis St. Paul and Duluth
which had blizzards in April, and now hav,
been pelted almost 10 death with hailstones
some of them "l3 inches in circumference,
and weighing 4 or ounces if We may
believe the newspapers.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-05-06

took TO the woods. a few days later he
brought up in Worcester, Mass, where an
elder brother was living. For the next
four years he worked at farming in various
towns in the vicinity, earning the generous
wages Of 50 a month"; afterwards increased
TO Si2 or Slj During the winters he con
trived TO get little schooling 10y doing
chores for his board. For the first six
months after he ran away he suffered tor
lures lest the Shattucks should pursue him
and take him back to IInsdalc, but these
npprehensions we're finally quieted by the
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-05-06

show OF pretence in any form. and in his
habits, bearing, and manner of life he is as
simple and unprctending now as he was
when MS lot was that of "A struggling me
chanic. Not many Of his 500 workmen are
up III the morning SO early as he, and few
oil Them, we imagine, are in bed so early nj
night, II is no doubt largely through his
correct active, regular ways of life that he
is now preserved in the full vigor of mind
and body. Though he has seen his business
grow from 30 organs in a year TO 30 times
that number in Il single month and though
he now has his trusted lieutenants in every
department, he is still wutchful of all the
details OF the business, and is as much its
active, compelling force as he was thirty
years ago IL Is without doubt largely
through his personal and familiar relations
with his workmen that no labor troubles
have ever affected the Estey establishment.
"woMAN's RIGHTS" INCIDENT.
It Is of interest to note in passing thnt
Dea. Estey has always been a firm ndvo
cate OF woman's right Ia do any work for
which she was fitted and 10 have the same
pay Tor II that man would have IL was
WINE the organ busine was located i'm the
frost street shop that women began To he
employed to file reeds The men obiecte6
10 TINS innovation and complained that they
couldn't do the work properly. The Dea-
con knew that this was all "a uotionn and
repeatedly changed the reeds when tbe man
were at dinner sd that they unwittin,,ly
used the reeds filed by the women snunos
my that they had been filed Ly men and
wee versa. lie was therefore fully prepar-
ca as he now relates with no little glee.
When delegation of men waited ON him
one day and told him that it was impossible
To do good work with the reeds filed by
women. The Deacon brought the inter
view To- AN abrupt termination by telling
/ lhe delegation how he had changed the
reeds and, he characteristically added
When want any more of your advice
about running my business | will send for
you From that day 10 this women have
filed reeds and done other work in the IA
icy shops and have had the same nav for il
That men would have for the same kind Of
work ' VI
THE SECRET or SUCCESS.
1t is fayorite saying of Dea. Estev
nowadays, IN speaking Of his career, that
II never knew but little or had much iudp-
ment' hut knew it aud wasn't afraid Ia
ask, and so managed TO get along.n In
TINS quaint saying, we imagine, lies the real
secret OF his success. He has been all his
lie close observer and willing learner
and the knowledge he has thus gained he
has mingled with energetic industry, strict
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-05-06

Nav YORK, Apr. -.
No FyieHds:-l congratulate you ON the happy
event of your golden anniversary. II Is not often
In this uncertain world that it rs given to murtals
tu look back upon halt a century of welded life
with satisfaction. Aud above all Il is an rxcrp-
tiunal gilt ui good Providence when golden
wedding Is IN fact what its name implies an oc-
caSiun when the golden harvest of a well-spent
life is gathered in hy the papeis who have soWn
the seed cultivated the plant, and, surrounded hy
their offspring, contemplate their perfected work
with joy. To you is given this great boon, and
your lot may well he tuvrd by the huppiest. A
Wise man has said TINT no wise man ever wished
To lac younger However true this remark may be
generally, it Is certainly true ia your case, Where
the great succtsss of your lives Is secure for
ever, but Where the risks of another carer, IL Il
were possible TO begin again, would be such that
you could scarcely hope 10 escape the Ills OF lie
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-05-06

The friends Of the late President Arthur
have, without any public parade, raised
large sum Of money to build memorials to
him and stone sarcophagus is to be
placed above his grave in the Albany Rural
cemetery, while a life-size bronze statue on
grand pedestal will be erected in one OF
the New York city squares.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-05-06

Judge Wheeler has handed down his de-
cision upon the motion of Oscar A. Bur
ton, heard at Bratteboro two weeks ago,
to reopen the case of c. w. Writers. re,
ceiver, against Albert Sowles and others,
directors of the First National bank of St
Adams, and introduce further testimony
Judge Wheeler denies the motion and or
ders a decree be entered that the defend
ants Albert Sowles and Burton are charge
able for the amount of the loss ON the loaI
Of S36, 900 10 Edward A, Sowles that al
account be taken of the amount of that loss
and that they pay the amount when ascer
tanned to the orator with costs; and tina
the bill be dismissed as TO the defendant
Edward A. Sowles and Hall without costs
1t is understood that the case will be car
ried to the supreme court of the Unite,
States
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-05-06

WASHINGTON, d. C., April 20, 1857.
Dedr SRI have just received, via Burlington,
your card for your half anniversary (uf century B.
We are glad to congratulate you and Mrs. Estey
ON this happy occasion la our New England life
frw live at home for so long period You have
illustrated how well one may prosper In our hill
country by industry probty and Persistence
We all in our little family wish you and Mrs Estey
JOY on this celebration day, and hope you may
live long la the just enjoyment Of the comforts
and amenities yuu have won.
Sincerely yours, GEO r.. EpAUNDs
jacob Estry, Buttrburo VI
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-05-06

80 completely AZ you have now done Your monu.
ment Is erected 10 endure for generations yet to
come who will call you blessed; while you have
tasted the pleasures OF success to the utmost In
your own time, and are sure that n life Of truth
aud virtue has had It's reward In this world.
send you little meuento of my regard, that
you may know have not ceased TO honor aud re-.
spect you. Very truly your friend,
EDw n. DiCKERsOE.
Mr. and Mrs Fstpy
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-05-06

Three hundred Norwegian emigrants
passed through Chattanooga, Tenn, last
Saturday night for Salt Lake City, on their
way to Join the Mormon colonies in the
West. They came by way of Norfolk, and
are the most respectable emigrants that
have arrived in the city for many a day.
They were accompanied by several Nor
mon elders who have been in Norway ON a
proselyting tour Many of them, however,
did not understand the polygamous nature
of the Mormon faith and the women, when
told they were liable to become wives of
men already welded to other women, open
ed their eyes and renowned all intentions
Of ever submitting to such a proceeding.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-05-06

Miss Rose Elizabeth Cleveland has re
turned to her first calling by accepting the
position of first assistant in school foI
Young ladies in New York. She seem.
hardly to have been success as public
woman, but she is evidently in earnest in d
determination to he useful.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-05-06

1t is scarcely credible, but it is neverthe-
less fact, that the citizens of st. Louis are
obliged, in order to punish parties who
committed frauds at the election, to put
their hands in their pockets and take out
the money to pay the jurors, witnesses and
counsel their fees. Congress failed to pass
the appropriation bill to meet these ex-
penses, and the citizens have raised fund
by subscription to meet these costs of court
rather than postpone the trial of the law
breakers to next fall, when there would be
less chance of conviction. No wonder the
Democrats themselves admit in private that
governing the country and are set Of
blunderers.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-05-06

The great races for the Americas Cup,
between the Scotch Thistle and the gallant
Yankee yatch, yet unnamed, will take place
on September 81, %, and October !, wind
and weather permitting.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-05-06

for several years he personally sold the
whole product Of the modest factory lie
used 10 load his team with melodeons and
strike out, it might be across the mountain
into eastern New York, then through
northern Vermont into Canada, and come
home through western New Hampshire,
varying his beat as the trade prospects
might Indicate 81 didn't know a note Of
music, % he now laughngly says, ''and so |
didn't waste any time playing on the melo-
deems. Sometimes | took a boy along TO
nlnY ON them. md snmetimns | fnnnd snme
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-05-06

1t is a curious fact that during the year
1896, while De Lesseps was insisting that
the Panama canal would be completed in
three years. the work was going on at a
rate which would take ID years to finish it..
There is nothing to change the opinion that
the isthmus canal enterprise will prove the
biggest humbug of the century. Count de
Lesseps is not a fool, but having been com
mitted to the scheme before the proper en-
gineers had made their examinations, he
chose to hope against hope rather than adj
init his bunder
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-05-06

The great freshet Of 1869, which caused
diustrous loss of property in this village,
not only swept away large quantity of
valuable lumber. but threatened the safety
Of the factory itself, aud not caring to risk
Il recurrence Of the danger Mr.. Estey at
once bought the large tract Of farming and
pasture land west of the village. where
Esteyville now stands, and began the cree
ton Of the present factories which are
shown in our large engraving From that
time ON, as for almost 20 years before, the
history Of the Estey organ works is the
history Of Jacob Estry.
HIS DOMESTIC LIFE-PEEspNAL CHARACTER.
IsTlCs
Dea Estcy married in 1887, two years
after he began business in BrattlebOro,
Desdemona Wood, daughter Of David Wood,
formerly of Dover where Mrs. Estey was
born, the family afterward removing t.
Brattlrboro The marriage took place at
Mr.. Woods house, which stood near the site
of the present railroad passenger station
The ceremony was performed 10y Rev: DR.
Walker. the father Of the Rev. DR.. Geo
Leon Walker Of our own day. The we'd
ding couple Immediately began housekeep
ing in the Parker house bought 10y Mr. Es
tey two years before, and they lived there
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-05-06

Hoyoke, Mass, paper had an inter
esting sketch Of a wedding, the groom be -
ing Newton Bros book keeper, Frank
Brown, formerly of this town, the bride a
lady of that city. One of the firm made u
present of a check of $50 others also made
presents
The Ontario (Cal.) Record has AN item re-
garding a new justice elected in San Ber-
nardino county, the person heing Geo. r.
lIolbrook formerly of this town and broth
er of Mrs j. h. Thompson.
Mrs. Robert Stowe of Heath, Mass, a
forH,er resident of this town, is dead and
was buried yesterday.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-05-06

one IN the vicinity TO come in
10 the farmers houses and
show them off. If / could get
an instrument into n neighbor-
hood there was pretty sure 10
be IA call for Others The price
of the instruments varied from
S75 to 1925. Sales were rare
" made for cash down. The
terms were usually note at ~
months. Often the trade was
in barter, cheese, butter, or
other farm produce, horses
from Canada, young cattle any
thing that the shrewd Yankee
knew could be readily turned
into cash. One significant fact
is 10 be noted-thc Deacon new
or came home with his stock
of melodeons unsold
In 1851 the shop was burned
and new and larger one was
built where the Brattleboro
House now stands. This in It's
turn was burned in 1864, and
the factory since converted in
10 hotel was erected on It's
site. The business steadily
grew, and in 1866 tie large
factory at the corner Of Frost
and Elm streets. now occupied
by Smith K Hunt, was erected
md nrrnninl hN tho rnnrnrn
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-05-06

a case involving the ownership of the
capital stock of the Montreal, Portland and
Boston railway, bought some two years ago
in the interest Of Receiver Hendee Of the
Vermont National bank of st. Adams, and
which was recently argued before the Su-
preme Court at Ottawa, has just been de-
cided in favor of the receiver. This makes
the stock the property Of the bank.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-05-06

The state board of cattle commissioners
print public announcement this week to
the effect that the quarantine is still in ei-
feet against Bennington county and the
state of New York. They have adopted
heroic treatment for the determination Of
the outbreak of malignant anthrax at Ben
nmgton, having caused the slaughter of 66
head Of young cattle belonging to H. y.
Elwell Of that town, among which the dis
ease appeared. The value Of the slaugh-
tered cattle has been appraised at $40 a
head
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-05-06
NBWFANR JAIL-BIRDs FLOWN.

The two occupants of Newfane Jail es-
capped Tuesday night. A saw made from
knife, found in one Of the cells, and win
dow bar sawed in two sufficiently indicated
the manner of their exit One of the mum
Der, VIM. +, Brown, was confined for horse
stealing, having been arrested at Bellows
Falls the other, Jacob Bacon, late of ia
maica, was under indictment for adultery.
Both were young men of about "a or %
years. Sheriff Kidder offers IA reward of
S25 for their arrest Two men answering
the description given of the prisoners were
seen ON Main street, in this village, between
| and , o'clock Wednesday morning by
Policeman Warren, but Deputy Underwood
has failed TO find further trace of them.